Celebrations mark the return of Iraqi Christians to Nineveh

By John Pontifex in Iraq

ABOUT 500 Christian families from Iraq celebrated their long-awaited homecoming to the Nineveh Plains with ceremonies on Sunday, 10th September marking a fresh start in their old towns and villages.

In Qaraqosh (Baghdeda), the largest of Nineveh’s Christian towns, priests and people holding olive branches processed through the streets chanting hymns in Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ.

On arrival at Immaculate Conception Syriac Catholic Church, in the town centre, a service took place climaxing with the blessing and distribution of palm trees, one each for every family.

Another palm tree distribution took place earlier that day at the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church, Bartela, a largely Syriac Orthodox Church, following Sunday Mass.

Aid to the Church in Need Middle East projects’ director Father Andrzej Halemba organised the ceremonies at a time when thousands of Christian families are returning to Nineveh.

ACN is repairing hundreds of homes across the region, repairing damage done during the occupation of Nineveh by Daesh (ISIS).

Thanking the charity for organising the ceremonies and helping with the repair of homes, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Timotheos Moussa Al Shamany said: “This is a wonderful day to mark the start of our return to our homes – the land where we belong.”

Father Andrzej Halemba with Syriac Orthodox Bishop Timotheos Shamany and a Christian receiving an olive tree

A family receives an olive tree from Fr Halemba at Immaculate Conception Church, Qaraqosh (Baghdeda)

Procession through the streets of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda) with olive trees led by priests carrying crucifixes

Families in front of Holy Virgin Church Bartela with their olive trees